The Last Ferry

In the late 1800's and early 1900's as the American west was settled, it was common for entrepreneurs to establish ferries as a method for moving people, goods and livestock across rivers. Campbell's Ferry was built by William Campbell in the 1890's. It was a source of income ($1 per head of stock, $.50 per person) for owners of the homestead until a bridge replaced it in 1956 as an easier way to cross the Salmon River. 
The ferry was located in a large pool upstream of the current bridge site. It was a large rectangular box structure with the ends swept up to meet the river current. A large cable was anchored on rocks called deadmen on each side of the river. The upstream end of the ferry was connected to the cable with a large pulley. A "sweep" or large rudder was used on the downstream end to angle the ferry to allow the current to push it from one side of the river to the other.
In 1990 the current owners were cleaning Frances Zaunmiller's cabin and found the colorized photo below wedged between her desk and the wall. That is Frances at the helm. She had labeled it "The Last Ferry Boat." Click on the Bridge, Letter and History links to learn about the ferry and her work to replace it.